CARICOM Bemoans the Escalation of Violence in Venezuela

GEORGETOWN,Guyana, May 3, 2019 - The Caribbean Community has noted with concern the turn of events in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the potential they hold for the escalation of the political crisis and further violence to the detriment of the people of the country.

In a statement today, CARICOM said the fifteen m,ember organization remains firmly wedded to the view that the solution to the crisis in Venezuela should be a peaceful internal process that avoids the threat or use of force.

The Community will continue to monitor the situation and remains convinced that the principles of non-interference and non-intervention in the affairs of states, respect for sovereignty, the constitutional framework, adherence to the rule of law, and respect for human rights and democracy must be upheld.

The Community will continue to support diplomatic efforts such as the Montevideo Mechanism. We will also continue to be in contact with other interested parties to encourage efforts to bring a peaceful solution to the crisis.

Earlier this week, CARICOM Chairman and St Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris appealed for “calm and peace” in Venezuela where Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó attemplted, with the aid of the United States to chase President Nicolas Maduro from office.

“My colleague Heads of Government and I are collectively charged with ensuring the continued security and stability of our beloved Caribbean region,” Harris said, noting “this responsibility is our first and foremost priority as we work in unison to safeguard our people's future.

“CARICOM has been working earnestly to promote meaningful dialogue and diplomacy, as well as a four-phased process called the Montevideo Mechanism whose aim is an inclusive and lasting solution. Such a considered approach can only redound to the benefit of the country and people of Venezuela and, by extension, the countries and citizens of Latin America and the Caribbean,” he said.

On Monday, Guaidó, appeared in a video with uniformed men, saying he had military support and called for more members of the military to help him end President Maduro's “usurpation” of power.

The opposition leader, who has declared himself interim leader of Venezuela, has the backing of the United States and most Western countries, while Maduro, who was sworn into office for a second consecutive term in January, has the support of Russia, China and Cuba.

The situation escalated on Wednesday, when Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo by phone that further "aggressive steps" in Venezuela would be fraught with the gravest consequences, according to Russia's Foreign Ministry.

Lavrov also condemned what he called the United States' "interference" in Venezuela's internal affairs as a breach of international law, adding that dialogue between all political forces is required in the Latin American country.